My One & Only Political Post.

Though I am reluctant to come within one hundred miles of the realm of politics, I feel like the issue has reached a point of unavoidability in my heart. Facebook is exploding with passionate statuses, pictures, articles, and videos from both sides, a shouting match for the eyes that leaves my head spinning.

That being said, I'm not going to delve into any of the strictly-political issues here, because honestly, I don't follow politics. At all. I have a surface-level knowledge of what each political party stands for. I agree and disagree with certain aspects of both sides. And I don't think I will ever bring myself to choose a side, since when I do attempt to follow what's going on, everything I read and hear I consider suspect. Because, as a writer, I know how easy it is to twist words to accomplish your agenda. And in politics (as in life), there is always an agenda. Propaganda, plain and simple, and I don't trust it. 

What I am going to delve into, however, is a spiritual issue that is related to this sudden outpouring of political opinion. In the midst of this war, watching people tear at each other's throats hasn't made me want to join a cause and fight; it's made me incredibly sad. Because in fighting for our cause, whatever that might be, we have forgotten what is most important.

Honestly (and hey, maybe I'm wrong, but), I don't think God is going to be upset about whether we voted for Obama or Romney, or whether we chose not to vote at all. What I do think He is upset about is the way His people have conducted themselves during this election year--the way we speak out of anger and the need to be "right" rather than listening and communicating out of love, the way we instigate division through an "us vs. them" mentality, the way we use His name to bolster our own opinions and assumptions, the way we bash people with blanket statements instead of putting ourselves in their place and respecting them as fellow human beings--these are the things I believe truly break the heart of God.

If Jesus had come down to Earth in this moment of our history, would He be leading the charge for a political campaign? No. He said give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's. The government can have our obedience, but our hearts should belong to God, not a political party. Because no matter how great you think this country is, how "pure" its founding and Constitution, the truth is, our government was built by people, and people are flawed. Yes, even our Founding Fathers. And if you put your hope in America, you will be disappointed, regardless of who sits in the White House.

I'm not saying it's wrong to fight for what you believe in. I'm not saying it's wrong to share your political opinions. What I am saying is: while you do, don't forget what's most important. Because I promise you, it's not who's going to win the election in November.

If we put half as much passion into loving God and serving others as many of us put into furthering the cause of our political preference, the world would be a very different place. I'd like to see that world. If we work together, maybe one day we can build it.